Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump slams Biden at World Economic Forum

The White House is touting a major Trump announcement on infrastructure.

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Last updated: Thursday, January 23, 2025 9:08AM PST
Trump deals with the fallout over his flurry of executive actions
President Donald Trump has kicked off his second term with a flurry of executive actions on immigration, the economy, DEI and more.

President Donald Trump has kicked off his second term with a flurry of executive actions on immigration, the economy, DEI and more.

Federal agencies are being directed to place all employees working on DEI programs and initiatives to be put on paid administrative leave by Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, legal challenges have been mounted against Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship and action that makes it easier to fire career government employees. Fallout also continues from his pardoning more than a thousand rioters convicted in connection with the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

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3:47 AM PST

Trump discusses TikTok, wildfires and pardons in first Oval Office interview

In his first Oval Office interview on Wednesday, President Donald Trump discussed the California wildfires, Jan. 6 pardons and TikTok.

Regarding the emergency funding that Los Angeles needs after wildfires ravaged over 40,000 acres, Trump suggested a tradeoff involving the reconciliation bill he is hoping to get through Congress.

In the Fox News interview Trump repeated claims that California Gov. Gavin Newsom could put a stop to the fires happening in Southern California by releasing water from the north and threatened to withhold aid to California unless they "let water flow."

"I'm going to put a statement out today, I think, maybe it's already written," Trump said. "I said, I don't think we should give California anything until they let water flow down into there."

Trump continued to defend his pardoning of those convicted of assaulting police officers at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, calling the attacks "very minor incidents."

When discussing TikTok, Trump dismissed the security concerns many have regarding the app, while questioning if it's bad that China is spying on kids.

"We have so many things made in China. So why don't they mention that? You know, interesting thing with TikTok, though, is you're dealing with a lot of young people," Trump said. "Is it that important for China to be spying on young people, on young kids watching crazy videos?"

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh, Fritz Farrow, Hannah Demissie

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3:51 AM PST

Trump picks new Secret Service director

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday the head of his protective security detail would serve as the new director of the U.S. Secret Service.

Sean Curran, a longtime Secret Service agent, began his career with the agency in 2001 as a special agent in the Newark Field Office, previously served as assistant special agent in charge of the Presidential Protective Division and was part of Trump's personal protective detail on July 13 when a gunman attempted to assassinate him.

"Sean is a Great Patriot, who has protected my family over the past few years, and that is why I trust him to lead the Brave Men and Women of the United States Secret Service," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

He added, "He proved his fearless courage when he risked his own life to help save mine from an assassin's bullet in Butler, Pennsylvania. I have complete and total confidence in Sean to make the United States Secret Service stronger than ever before."

The former director of the agency, Kimberly Cheatle, came under scrutiny over the agency's failure to prevent the assassination attempt and later resigned.

ByRachel Scott, Beatrice Peterson, Arthur Jones and Allison Pecorin ABCNews logo
Jan 22, 2025, 3:41 PM PST

Oath Keeper founder on Capitol Hill following release

Just one day after being released from prison, Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes showed up on Capitol Hill in a blue Trump hat.

Rhodes was serving an 18-year sentence for a seditious conspiracy conviction for his role in the Jan. 6 riots, but his sentence was commuted by Trump on Monday.

Stewart Rhodes speaks after being released after spending the past 3 years in Cumberland, Maryland at the Federal Correctional Institution on Jan. 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Stewart Rhodes speaks after being released after spending the past 3 years in Cumberland, Maryland at the Federal Correctional Institution on Jan. 21, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Rhodes told ABC News he was meeting with members of Congress, specifically Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla.

Speaker Mike Johnson told ABC News that he didn't meet with Rhodes.

"What about it? He's a U.S. citizen, right?" he added.

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Jan 22, 2025, 2:44 PM PST

White House asked about Elon Musk's criticism of AI Stargate deal

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brushed off Elon Musk's comment suggesting investors don't have the money to fund the Stargate AI project during an interview on Fox News.

"President Trump is very excited about this infrastructure announcement in the field of AI, which is of his growing United States and it needs to capitalize on it because adversaries like China are very advanced in the field," Leavitt dodged when asked for the Trump's reaction specifically to Musk's comments.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt arrives at the White House in Washington, Jan. 22, 2025.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt arrives at the White House in Washington, Jan. 22, 2025.

Musk has repeatedly poured cold water on the $500 billion project, which Trump rolled out at the White House on Tuesday evening with fanfare.

Leavitt said that the American people should trust Trump at his word.

"So, the American people should take President Trump and the CEOs' words for it. These investments are coming to our great country and American jobs are coming with them," she said.